END OF HIATUS

Hopefully you haven't all given up hope on me. A couple of months ago our desktop quit working and had a mishap. We have a laptop but I was not able to get onto blogger for some reason. I couldn't look at any blogs nor could I look at mine or log on .... nada! Today I finally tried downloading some updates and woola ..... I can now get back on!!!!!

So instead of boring you all with lots of details of the past few months, I'll give you the short of the long.

JANUARY

Randy was laid off at the beginning of January. His job was temporary however while he covered for a guy who was serving with the guard in Afghanistan. He is now looking for another job. He made some good contacts while at this last job however with some possibilities.

We had some awesome :( snow storms that had us shoveling for hours at a time. I started going to Zumba classes with my friend Maquel and quickly became addicted and loving it even more then doing it at home. Ciara started dance and loves it. She has natural rhythm and is a lot of fun to watch. We don't get to watch them when they dance at class until later in the spring, but at home she has a dance for every song that comes on.

FEBRUARY

We had a couple baptisms we attended in February. One was for Randy's niece Hailee and the other was our friend's daughter, Aspyn. They happened on the same day which made it a little busy, but we were very grateful to be able to share that special day with some very special girls.

Randy and I both celebrated our birthdays during February. It's gotten to the point where we don't get very excited ... what's another year at this point anyway?! I did get to shovel a good amount of snow on my birthday which just helped me remember it really is just another day.

MARCH

Nothing to exciting to report for this one. I did get a new job working for a Pediatrician's office in Payson as a PRN receptionist. I really enjoy the people there and the work, so far it has been a lot of fun! However after my first day of work Randy & I separated. I was more appreciative of the job as it has kept me busy and hasn't allowed for too much time to think. I'm not going to bash on the situation at all, because I still have hope. Hope for something better to come of all this. I have said before that this is my therapy ... the blog. So here I am trying not to pour out all of my heart into this right now. It has been a very lonely couple of weeks and I miss Randy a lot. There has been several times that I have thought, "if only Randy were here." Ciara had a really hard time for about the first week. She would cry every time I would leave or even if I went into another room. She was afraid that I wasn't coming back. She even had me sleep with her. She has gotten better though and doesn't break down nearly as much. If only we could peak into the crystal ball once in awhile and see where the light will begin to shine.

I am grateful for my family & for our good friends who have been here for the kids & I and for all of the support we have received. It's always good to know that there are people who really care about others.

We are eager for Spring to get here and for spring break in just a few short weeks. We no longer have plans for it, but it will be nice to have a break. I'm sure we will try to get out and enjoy the sunshine ... so here's hoping that it shines!!!

Now that we are up & running be sure to come check us out and see what we are up to!!!! :)

GRATI-TUESDAY

Learning

Church

Free Will

Going to Colorado (repeated by more than one member of the family)

Malia talking

Answers to Prayers

Good Weather / Dry roads

Photography

Family time

Heaters in Vehicles

Sleep

Gloves

Hands

When nobody is Around

Water softener

This Country

Running

Fire Alarms

Memories

Scopes / Guns / Ammo (do you need a hint on who?)

Smiling

Hot Cocoa

Honesty

Snow IN Mountains

Love

Regular Income

Christmas Lights

Healthy Kids

Charity

Having Power at Home

FINALE

This is just for fun! This is what the whole show is about ... the Symphony is playing live, all of the choirs singing, and the dance company. I thought that I had recorded the Natvity set, but I can't find it yet. It was such a great show, and both times I watched it I was very moved by seeing that the kids performing were touched as well. During both performances I saw kids who couldn't sing and wiping the tears from their eyes as they felt moved.

D's Guitar

Dallin is just learning the Guitar, and this is his beginning Guitar class!

Sleigh Ride Jive

Elvis Christmas

This is just a clip of the Show Choir with the elementary choir. The kids were too cute!

Dal's Hip Hop

Ky Waltz

I totally blew it on this one, I thought I was recording from the beginning but it turned out that I was NOT .... dang it!

Hip Hop Company

ATTITUDE

I have shared some of our gratitude's, and have talked a little about how our gratitude journal has changed our attitudes a little here on the home-front. But last week it was something weighing heavily on my mind. I have all sorts of thoughts on my own attitude through out my life. I (like everyone) have had the type of experiences that can change your attitude and in the eyes of the world, would think that it is okay to have a bad attitude. Now don't get me wrong ... I have definitely had a crappy attitude more often then not, however I have been fortunate enough to have lessons that help me not to continue that way. I don't think of myself as some picked on person but I have had days that I would like to throw a really big Pity Becki Party! Doesn't sound like fun though does it. Well lately I have realized how blessed I am to have my siblings. They have been a huge part of my attitude lately and helping me to stay positive. We have teased my brother Steve about being "preacher Steve" because he has become so excited about all that he is learning about the gospel over the past couple of years that every time he calls he tells us what he has learned. It's funny though because I will be having a bad day, where I sit and stew over things getting more & more upset and then the phone rings. I kid you not it is always my brother .... and he always calls and says I was thinking about you the last couple of days I learned .... and realized that you are .... how you have .... He doesn't even know what I am thinking or doing but somehow knows what I need to hear. Then there is my sister Kris who will let me unload anything I need to say. She is understanding, patient, and honest! I am so grateful to have siblings who help lift me up when I need it. It's hard to think of them that way because I am the oldest and have always felt like I need to be there for them more then they should be for me. But it is such a great blessing to have them! All of this has helped me realize that our Heavenly Father really does not want us to think negatively of ourselves or others, He doesn't make you have a bad attitude ... He wants us to really be happy, no matter what! So here is a thought for my readers ....

Are you the Lord's instrument in helping others or do you bring others down?

Do you allow others to help you or do you refuse others kindness?

Our attitudes reflect who we are ... and with that in mind I hope my attitude reflects happiness, kindness, and something to be desired.

Now with that said, let me tell ya I am so glad that tonight was the last night of school performances for the rest of the year! The kids school does the "Spirit of Christmas" every year and it is performed on 4 nights. Both Ky & Dal performed in the show. Dal performed in the pre-show on Friday with his hip-hop group and tonight with his guitar class; and Ky performed every night with her ballroom company. It is a great show, it involves symphonies, bands, choirs, and dance groups. And they all perform together ... it's AWESOME!!! I am in the process of getting the videos uploaded, but it's still showing over 200 minutes to go. So they'll be on here another day!